42nd Street Photo

A complete rip-off at 42nd Street Photo. I tried to buy a brand-new Canon 5D Mark III from their New York store, but I got played. A rep called me up, claiming I’d accidentally ordered an international model and needed to pay extra for the US version. He was pretty aggressive on the phone, so I just gave in to get it over with. When the box finally arrived, it was clearly a used unit—missing the original box and manuals. Even worse, the camera settings proved it was still the international model I originally wanted! I basically paid premium prices for a used camera that wasn’t even the correct version. If I’d read up on their reputation for bait-and-switch tactics beforehand, I would’ve stayed away.

I had a rough experience with 42nd Street Photo in New York. I bought a camera from their site, only to find out it was the international model, which doesn't play nice in the US. To swap it for the US version, they wanted an extra $250 on top of what I already paid. Turns out, the only real difference was the warranty coverage. That $250 was just for a basic extended warranty that still wouldn't cover "drop and spill" incidents. I could have gotten the exact same camera from Canon’s website for the same price, but with better protection that included drop and spill coverage. When I called to cancel, they said the camera had already shipped. If I returned it, I’d be hit with a 20% restocking fee. It felt like they were trying to scam me out of my money. After digging a bit more, I realized this is a common tactic used by 42nd Street Photo. They’ve been pulling this trick for years. I’d recommend staying away and finding a more trustworthy retailer.

Shopping at 42nd Street Photo in New York was an expensive lesson in caution. I ordered a Sony NEX-VG10 based on their attractive pricing, but the experience quickly turned sour. I received a call about a maintenance delay, but the line dropped, and I couldn’t get them back on. When the camera finally arrived in just a few days, it was much larger than I expected, which added to my frustration. The biggest issue was the price tag: I paid $1,989.98, but the retail price was $3,799.99. I felt I had overpaid, especially when I tried to return the item. Their customer service was poor; they initially hung up on me and then claimed their policy didn’t allow returns, despite what was written on their website. After some back-and-forth, they agreed to refund me but deducted a hefty $280 for "expedited processing and shipping." They also kept the money for the extended warranty. Be careful with 42photo.com—the prices might look good, but their service and return policy can be disappointing.

I had a frustrating experience ordering a Canon 90D from 42nd Street Photo in New York. On August 9, 2022, I purchased the camera body for $1,099 along with a warranty that was apparently upgraded to five years at no extra cost. My initial excitement turned to disappointment the very next day when the "shipping" department called to inform me that I had inadvertently ordered a European model, which required a different language setting. They claimed upgrading to the US version would cost an additional $300, a fee not clearly indicated on their website listing. I felt misled by this bait-and-switch tactic, especially since I had chosen them over a local Florida store for a better price. When I tried to resolve the issue, phone lines were busy, and my messages through their contact page went unanswered. I proposed a compromise—either a partial refund of the upcharge or sending me a model with an 18-135mm lens, which was only $80 more—but their silence suggested they were avoiding accountability. It is highly unethical for a store to hide such critical details and then demand more money. I expect a full $300 refund for the deceptive practice and hope other photographers are warned before buying from 42photo.com.

Shopping at 42nd Street Photo in New York felt like a gamble. I ordered a camera online, only to be contacted the next day to discover it was a European model that wouldn’t function here. They wanted an extra $250 to swap it for the US version, despite no clear warning on the site. When I decided to call it off, Jack on the phone claimed a $50 cancellation fee was mandatory because of credit card processing costs. His tone felt a bit pushy, like he was trying to squeeze me for money I didn’t owe. I hung up and checked my bank statement immediately to be safe. Fortunately, no charge had gone through yet, so I blocked future online transactions just in case. Their lack of transparency on model variants and those sneaky cancellation fees were a turnoff. I got lucky avoiding the bill, but I’m definitely not returning to this store.

My experience with 42nd Street Photo turned out to be a great example of excellent customer service. After an initial hiccup with my camera, a representative called me on October 6, 2018, and handled the situation with genuine sincerity. They not only offered a full refund and a prepaid label for the defective unit but also went the extra mile to win back my loyalty. I was especially impressed by their offer to send a replacement camera directly and provide a financial incentive to make up for the inconvenience. As someone who shops for gear for my wife, a professional photographer, I know what quality service looks like, and this team delivered. It is clear that when management stepped in, they prioritized professionalism and respect. I really appreciate how they restored my confidence in their New York-based store, and I highly recommend 42nd Street Photo to anyone looking for a reliable camera retailer.

I had a really frustrating experience with 42nd Street Photo in New York. Back in March 2022, I ordered a Tamron 18-400mm lens for $599, which was the only model they had listed. Right after I bought it, they called me and tried to pull a bait-and-switch. They falsely claimed the lens had a plastic mount and no warranty to justify jacking the price up to $699 and adding an extra warranty I didn’t really want. I didn’t have time to fact-check them on the spot, so I went along with it. To make matters worse, they promised to send a revised order form but never did. I even confirmed I wanted a signature required for the UPS delivery, but that detail was missing from the shipping label, so the package just got left on my porch. I tried emailing to cancel before it shipped, but got zero response. The lens arrived on April 3, but since it was a birthday gift for someone else, I never even opened it to check its condition. When I finally asked to return it, they slapped on a 20% restocking fee, which basically wiped out any savings I had. Their customer service has been silent on my requests to just remove the extra warranty charge. It’s a shame because I’d hate to think this is just how they operate, but I definitely won’t be buying from 42photo.com again.

Zero stars if I could. My experience with 42nd Street Photo out in New York was nothing short of a nightmare. I ordered what I was told was a brand-new Sony A9 from their site for nearly $2,900, only to discover it was a used display model with over 12,000 shots on it. They tried to pass it off as new, even though I specifically asked for a fresh unit. When I caught them in the lie, they were incredibly rude. I tried to cancel, but instead of offering a full refund, they wanted to charge me a 20% restocking fee. The customer service was just as bad; every time I called to resolve the issue, they put me on hold and then hung up on me. They even had the audacity to send back the expensive camera in a cheap protective pouch instead of the original packaging. To make matters worse, they use deceptive pricing tactics, crossing out higher prices to create fake discounts. I even had my lawyer call them, and they hung up on him too. It feels like a total scam operation. Save your money and avoid this store in New York. I’m done with them.

I’m thoroughly disappointed with my experience buying a Nikon D750 and a lens from 42nd Street Photo in New York. After ordering on a Saturday, I got no confirmation email, so I called their support on Sunday. The agent had a thick accent that was hard to follow, but he eventually clarified a major issue: I’d accidentally ordered the European model, which lacks Wi-Fi. The website didn’t make this clear. Worse, he told me the US version costs $1849, not the $1449 I saw online. To top it off, the item is on backorder. When I demanded a cancellation, he refused, saying it was already processing and I’d have to call back on Monday. I’m terrified they’ll ship it anyway, and I’ll be stuck with the hassle of returning it since I suspect they’re holding my payment to ensure it clears first. Given the red flags and similar complaints I’ve seen online, I’m reporting them to my bank as fraudsters. I’m determined to get my money back and won’t be doing business with 42nd Street Photo ever again. It’s surprising they’re still open with such shady practices.

My experience with 42nd Street Photo in New York was a total letdown. I spotted what looked like an incredible deal online and upgraded to two-day shipping, only to have the company call me and ask me to call them back. When I finally spoke to Adam, he was pushy and condescending. He tried to upsell me on batteries and memory cards and then admitted the camera didn’t actually include the manufacturer accessories listed on their site. His sales tactics felt manipulative, even threatening that I’d feel "ashamed" if I didn't buy more. He was just rude overall. The only silver lining was that my order was eventually cancelled. I’ve since read other reviews confirming this isn’t an isolated incident, and I even found the same gear with free expedited shipping and full accessories at Adorama for the same price. It’s a classic case of "too good to be true." I wouldn’t recommend this shop to anyone—there are better, more reputable options out there.

I'm really happy with my recent purchase from 42nd Street Photo. The website was easy to navigate and I found exactly what I needed. The customer service was excellent and they provided me with all the information I needed before making my purchase. I would highly recommend this company!

I recently bought a camera from a company and I'm really happy with my purchase. The website was straightforward to use and I found what I was looking for easily. The customer service was wonderful and they answered all my questions promptly. Overall, I had a positive experience and would recommend this company for camera purchases.

Recently, I bought some camera accessories online. The service was good, but I feel like the website could be improved. It wasn't very user-friendly and took me some time to find what I was looking for. However, the customer service was responsive and helped me with my questions.

I recently made a purchase from 42nd Street Photo and it was a decent experience. The website was easy to use and I found what I needed without any hassle. The customer service was satisfactory and they resolved my query promptly. Overall, I'm satisfied with my purchase.

I recently purchased a camera from 42nd Street Photo and I'm really impressed with their service. The website was user-friendly and I had no trouble finding what I needed. The customer support was great and they responded promptly to my queries. Overall, a great experience!

The shopping experience at 42nd Street Photo was fantastic! 😊 The website is well-designed and intuitive. The customer service is superb, and they assisted me throughout the entire process. I'm extremely satisfied with this company!

The shopping experience at 42nd Street Photo was amazing! 😃 The website is well-designed and user-friendly. The customer service is top-notch, and they went above and beyond to ensure my satisfaction. I've had a great experience with this company.

I bought a lens from 42nd Street Photo and I must say, the overall experience was good. The website was easy to navigate and I found the lens that matched my requirements. The customer service was helpful and attentive. I would recommend this company for camera accessories.

42nd Street Photo is a great company. Their website is user-friendly and easy to navigate. I recently purchased a new camera from them and I'm very satisfied with the product. The customer service was excellent, they were very helpful throughout the process. I highly recommend 42nd Street Photo!